Line guide device

ABSTRACT

A line guide device designed to be used with a ring binder and having a flexible transparent flat sheet that is laid over a printed page in the ring binder. An elongated metallic strip is attached to one side margin of the transparent sheet in a perpendicular relationship. A line guide bar has a magnet member secured to one end in a perpendicular relation, and the magnet member by magnetic attraction holds the line guide bar to the metallic strip as the line guide is shifted up or down on the transparent sheet.

United States Patent 1 1 [111 3,719,161

Wegner 1 1 March 6, 1973 541 LINE GUIDE DEVICE 2,510,053 6/1950 Pfeiffer ..281/42 [75] Inventor: John Wegner, Des Plaines, lll. [73] Assignee: Edanbob Corporation, Chicago, Ill. 3,126,862 3/1964 Hanley 3,153,400 l0/l964 Mendels ..40/352 [22] Filed: Dec. 3, 1971 Primary Examiner-Louis J. Capozi [21] Appl' 204,536 Attorney-Johnson, Dienner, Emrich, Verbeck v&

Wagner [52] U.S. C1. ..116/119, 40/352, 281/42 [51] Int. Cl. ..B42d 9/00 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field offearch ..gg..'...1l6/l.l29,ll31;, A line guide device designed to be used with a ring 0/350'354 l 8 l binder and having a flexible transparent flat sheet that 283/] 402/501 235/70 B is laid over a printed page in the ring binder. An elongated metallic strip is attached to one side margin of [56] References cued the transparent sheet in a perpendicular relationship. UNITED STATES PATENTS A line guide bar has a magnet member secured to one end m a perpendicular relation, and the magnet 1,037,292 9/1912 Morden ..402/502 X member by magnetic attraction holds the line guide 1,154,225 1915 Wilson R bar to the metallic strip as the line guide is shifted up 2,203,51 l 6/1940 Tait ..40/360 o down on the transparent heet, 2,435,221 2/1948 Jones ..40/360 2,442,870 6/1948 Flynn ..116/119 X 14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures V//// l v 7 J2 1" MA NUAL 64 12 PART 3 48 OMUJIVNOG 5 Fl} TAKE ONE PART OF SUL- I I AL Ur v" 1W- r Lbu Mr-n J 1171 ]\r1:- Elli 1""1'O a. 1/. l

I, M|:-|'\-- mar ne hing; Liv lg 20 60/ M PAR "r 2 5T6! (we I u TAKE I 7 J0 LINE GUIDE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is common practice for typists and accountants to use a copyholder having a supporting member for holding a printed page and a line guide to assist them in following printed matter line by line. Three such copyholder devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,081,739; 3,089,464; and 3,153,400, all of which is sued to I. J. Mendels. The disadvantage to all known copyholder devices, including those disclosed in the Mendels patents, is that they can only be used with a single sheet. Consequently in those situations where the sheets are in a ring binder, they must be individually removed and later replaced.

This invention overcomes the above described disadvantage by providing a line guide device that can be inserted into a ring binder without the necessity of opening the rings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A line guide device comprising a flat sheet of flexible transparent material with fastening means on one of its side margins for quickly attaching the transparent sheet in a ring binder, and a line guide bar having a magnet member secured at one end that is magnetically attracted to a metallic strip attached to the other side margin of the transparent sheet to hold the line guide bar in a line guide position as it is shifted up and down the transparent sheet. A guide slot is formed along the one side margin of the transparent sheet to hold the outer end of the line guide bar in sliding engagement with the line guide bar in sliding engagement with the transparent sheet.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING For a better understanding of this invention reference may be made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of 'my invention inserted into a ring binder;

FIG. 2 is an end view of my invention taken along the line 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the line guide bar and associated magnet member;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the flexible transparent sheet and associated metallic strip attached on its one side margin; and

FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view similar to FIG. 1, except the flexible transparent sheet has been flipped over to the other side of the ring binder.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I, there is shown a conventional ring binder in the open book position. Ring binder 10 has three spaced rings 12 which can be opened to insert or remove loose leaf paper 14.

A line guide device 16 embodying the principles of my invention is shown inserted on the left side of ring binder 10. A flat sheet of flexible transparent material of a size at least as large as the loose leaf paper 14 overlays the printed page on the left side of binder l0, and a line guide bar is disposed across the flexible transparent sheet 18 and can be slidably repositioned up or down the sheet to follow the printed matter on the page beneath the line guide bar 20.

An elongated metallic strip 22 is attached along one side margin of transparent sheet 18 in a generally perpendicular relation thereto. The means for mounting the metallic strip 22 comprises an integral upturned flange portion 24 which is folded lengthwise at its approximate midlength to present two folded sections 26, 28 in general parallel relation. The metallic strip 22 is inserted through one of the end openings 30, and a fastener means is provided to hold the metallic strip 22 between the folded sections. One suitable fastener means could be eyelets 32 inserted through the folded sections 26, 28 at their ends and disposed outwardly of right-angled cut-out 34 formed at the opposite ends of metallic strip 22. Another suitable fastener means would be to heat seal the folded sections 26, 28 together to envelope the metallic strip.

A magnetic member 36 is secured to one end of line guide bar 20 in a generally perpendicular relation for holding the line guide bar at different positions by its magnetic attraction to metallic strip 22. Magnetic member 32 comprises a casing 38 having a base portion 40 and a recess 42 formed in an upstanding leg portion 44. A magnet is mounted in recess 42 as by cement 46, and the base portion is fastened to one end of line guide bar 20-by means of rivets 48. The line guide bar and associated magnet member are not new per se and are disclosed in all of the above identified Mendels patents. What is new and novel is the cooperation between the line guide bar 20 and transparent sheet 18.

For clear reading of the printed matter it is essential that the transparent sheet 18 lie flat on the printed page 14. When the thickness of the pages on the left side of the ring binder 10 is less than the width of folded sections 26, 28, it will be appreciated that the flange portion 24 must be positioned upwardly, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 to permit sheet 18 to lie flat on page 14. In this orientation, the line guide bar 18 lies between the printed page 14 and transparent sheet causing some resistance to proper repositioning of the line guide bar.

' This resistance is substantially reduced by providing a line guide means 50 along the inner marginal edge of the transparent sheet 18.

Line guide means 50 comprises an integral flange portion 52 bent inwardly toward transparent sheet 18 into a generally parallel relation thereto. The inner marginal portion of surface 54 and flange portion 52 present an elongated guide slot 58 into which the outer end 60 of line guide bar 20 is disposed.

To provide quick attachment onto the rings 12, a fastener means 62 is provided at the inner marginal side of transparent sheet 18. Fastener means 62 takes the form of a plurality of T-shaped slots 64 extending inwardly of the inner marginal edge and flange portion 50. In the embodiment shown, the T-shaped slots are spaced to accommodate either a three-ring or two-ring standard binder. It is noted that the length of line guide bar 20 is selected so that its outer end 60 extends into guide slot 58 but would not intersect any of the T-slots 62.

By virtue of the hooking engagement of T-shaped guide slots 62 with rings 12 andthe retaining action of guide slot 58 on the outer end of line guide bar 20, it is possible to flip the line guide device 16 from the left side (FIG. 1) to the right side (FIG. 5) of ring binder 10 or vice versa. When the user is done with both pages, the T-shaped slots 62 permit the line guide device 16 to be quickly removed without the necessity of opening the rings 12. I

Although a number of materials could be used to form transparent sheet 18, the preferred material is a non-glare vinyl because of its durability and flexibility. Non-glare vinyls have been found very satisfactory in forming the two integral flange portions 24 and 50.

While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various arrangements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A line guide device for use with printed pages in a ring binder comprising a flat sheet of flexible transparent material, an elongated metallic strip, means for attaching said strip to one of the side margins of said sheet in-a generally perpendicular relation thereto, a flexible line guide bar adapted to extend across said flat sheet, a magnet member secured to one end of said line guide bar in a generally perpendicular relation thereto and acting magnetically to hold said line guide bar to said metallic strip in different positions along said strip,

and a plurality of slots formed inwardly of the other of said side margins and spaced apart in alignment with the rings in said ring binder for temporarily attaching thereto.

2. A line guide device as defined in claim 1, wherein said slots have a T-shape of a width slightly greater than the width of said rings.

3. A line guide device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for attaching said strip comprises an integral flange portion in generally perpendicular relation to said flat sheet and folded lengthwise to present two folded sections to sandwich said elongated metallic strip therebetween, and fastener means for holding said metallic strip between said folded sections.

4. A line guide device as defined in claim 3, wherein said fastener means comprises said folded sections heat sealed together to envelope said metallicstrip.

5. A line guide device as defined in claim 3, wherein said fastener means comprises eyelets inserted through said'folded sections at their opposite ends to prevent any lengthwise displacement of said metallic strip.

6. A line guide device further comprising guide means for urging the other end of said line guide bar into engagement with said flat sheet.

7. A line guide device as defined in claim 6, wherein said guide means comprises an integral flange portion formed along the other of said side margins of said flat sheet and folded inwardly of said other side margin in a generally parallel relation with said flat sheet to define a guide slot therebetween and wherein the length of said line guide bar is selected such that said other end is disposed to ride in said guide slot.

8. A line guide device for use with printed pages in a ring binder comprising a flat sheet of flexible transparent material, an elongated metallic strip, means for attaching said metallic strip to one of the side margins of said sheet in a generally perpendicular relation thereto, a flexible line guide bar adapted to extend across the width of said sheet, a magnet member secured to one end of said line guide bar in a generally erpendicular relation thereto and acting magneticall 0 hold said line guide bar to said metal ic strip m d ferent positions along said strip, and guide means for urging the other end of said line guide bar into engagement with said flat sheet.

9. A line guide device as defined in claim 8, wherein said guide means comprises an integral flange portion formed along the other of said side margins of said flat sheet and folded inwardly of said other side margin in a generally parallel relation with said flat sheet to define a guide slot therebetween and wherein the length of said line guide bar is selected such that said other end is disposed to ride in said guide slot.

10. A line guide device as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for attaching said metallic strip comprises an integral flange portion in generally perpendicular relation to said flat sheet and folded lengthwise .to present two generally parallel folded sections, and fastener means for holding said metallic strip between said folded sections.

11. A line guide device as defined in claim 10, wherein said fastener means comprises said folded sections heat sealed together to envelop said metallic strip.

12. A line guide device as defined in claim 10, wherein said fastener means comprises eyelets inserted through said folded sections at their opposite ends to prevent any lengthwise displacement of said metallic strip.

13. A line guide device as defined in claim 9, further comprising means for fastening the other of said side margins of said flat sheet onto the rings of the ring binder.

14. A line guide device as defined in claim 13, wherein said fastening means comprises a plurality of T-shaped slots formed inwardly of said other side margin and said integral flange portion, said slots spaced apart in alignment with the rings in the ring binder, and wherein the length of said line guide bar is selected such that said other end is disposed to ride in said guide slot but does not intersect with said T-shaped slots when said line guide bar is moved up and down. 

1. A line guide device for use with printed pages in a ring binder comprising a flat sheet of flexible transparent material, an elongated metallic strip, means for attaching said strip to one of the side margins of said sheet in a generally perpendicular relation thereto, a flexible line guide bar adapted to extend across said flat sheet, a magnet member secured to one end of said line guide bar in a generally perpendicular relation thereto and acting magnetically to hold said line guide bar to said metallic strip in different positions along said strip, and a plurality of slots formed inwardly of the other of said side margins and spaced apart in alignment with the rings in said ring binder for temporarily attaching thereto.
 1. A line guide device for use with printed pages in a ring binder comprising a flat sheet of flexible transparent material, an elongated metallic strip, means for attaching said strip to one of the side margins of said sheet in a generally perpendicular relation thereto, a flexible line guide bar adapted to extend across said flat sheet, a magnet member secured to one end of said line guide bar in a generally perpendicular relation thereto and acting magnetically to hold said line guide bar to said metallic strip in different positions along said strip, and a plurality of slots formed inwardly of the other of said side margins and spaced apart in alignment with the rings in said ring binder for temporarily attaching thereto.
 2. A line guide device as defined in claim 1, wherein said slots have a T-shape of a width slightly greater than the width of said rings.
 3. A line guide device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for attaching said strip comprises an integral flange portion in generally perpendicular relation to said flat sheet and folded lengthwise to present two folded sections to sandwich said elongated metallic strip therebetween, and fastener means for holding said metallic strip between said folded sections.
 4. A line guide device as defined in claim 3, wherein said fastener means comprises said folded sections heat sealed together to envelope said metallic strip.
 5. A line guide device as defined in claim 3, wherein said fastener means comprises eyelets inserted through said folded sections at their opposite ends to prevent any lengthwise displacement of said metallic strip.
 6. A line guide device further comprising guide means for urging the other end of said line guide bar into engagement with said flat sheet.
 7. A line guide device as defined in claim 6, wherein said guide means comprises an integral flange portion formed along the other of said side margins of said flat sheet and folded inwardly of said other side margin in a generally parallel relation with said flat sheet to define a guide slot therebetween and wherein the length of said line guide bar is selected such that said other end is disposed to ride in said guide slot.
 8. A line guide device for use with printed pages in a ring binder comprising a flat sheet of flexible transparent material, an elongated metallic strip, means for attaching said metallic strip to one of the side margins of said sheet in a generally perpendicular relation thereto, a flexible line guide bar adapted to extend across the width of said sheet, a magnet member secured to one end of said line guide bar in a generally perpendicular relation thereto and acting magnetically to hold said line guide bar to said metallic strip in different positions along said strip, and guide means for urging the other end of said line guide bar into engagement with said flat sheet.
 9. A line guide device as defined in claim 8, wherein said guide means comprises an integral flange portion formed along the other of said side margins of said flat sheet and folded inwardly of said other side margin in a generally parallel relation with said flat sheet to define a guide slot therebetween and wherein the length of said line guide bar is selected such that said other end is disposed to ride in said guide slot.
 10. A line guide device as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for attaching said metallic strip comprises an integral flange portion in generally perpendicular relation to said flat sheet and folded lengthwise to present two generally parallel folded sections, and fastener means for holding said metallic strip between said folDed sections.
 11. A line guide device as defined in claim 10, wherein said fastener means comprises said folded sections heat sealed together to envelop said metallic strip.
 12. A line guide device as defined in claim 10, wherein said fastener means comprises eyelets inserted through said folded sections at their opposite ends to prevent any lengthwise displacement of said metallic strip.
 13. A line guide device as defined in claim 9, further comprising means for fastening the other of said side margins of said flat sheet onto the rings of the ring binder. 